Rome to Host: — In a major initiative to foster global peace and social cohesion, a high-level interreligious conference bringing together Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs from across Europe is scheduled to take place in Rome from 23–24 June 2026.
The two-day event, titled “Building Fraternity through Dialogue and Collaboration,” will convene in the Aula Minor at the prestigious Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. To facilitate international participation, the proceedings will be conducted in both English and Italian, with simultaneous translation services available.
Rome to Host: A Response to Global Conflict
The conference comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, positioning interfaith dialogue not merely as a diplomatic gesture, but as an active tool for conflict resolution. Prominent Buddhist leaders and scholars will join counterparts from Western and Eastern traditions to explore how ancient spiritual philosophies—such as Buddhist principles of mindfulness and non-violence—can offer concrete solutions to modern crises.
The core ethos of the assembly is deeply rooted in the recent message delivered by Pope Leo XIV on 4 February 2026, marking the International Day of Human Fraternity and the presentation of the Zayed Award. In his address, which serves as the guiding vision for the upcoming conference, the Pope underscored the critical urgency of global solidarity: “Today, the need for this fraternity is not a distant ideal but an urgent necessity. We cannot ignore the fact that too many of our brothers and sisters are currently suffering the horrors of violence and war. We must remember that ‘the first victim of every war is the human family’s innate vocation to fraternity.’”
Reviving the “Dream of Peace”
Organizers emphasize that amidst widespread skepticism regarding global harmony, the conference aims to challenge the narrative that lasting peace is a bygone concept.
“At a time when the dream of building peace together is often dismissed as an ‘outdated utopia,’ we must proclaim with conviction that human fraternity is a lived reality, stronger than all conflicts, differences, and tensions,” the papal message noted, calling for a daily commitment to mutual respect, sharing, and compassion.
By bridging the gap between Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Hinduism, and Western religious frameworks, the Rome summit seeks to establish a unified European network of faith leaders dedicated to community integration, humanitarian relief, and counteracting the rhetoric of division.
Conference Participation and Fee Details
It is worth noting that the official schedule does not mention any registration fees for attending this international conference [source: 1]. According to the invitation guidelines, the event is primarily curated for religious communities and leaders residing within Europe [source: 1]. All listed speakers and panelists representing the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, and Sikh faiths are affiliated with various European organizations and institutions. Consequently, while there is no direct representation from Bangladesh on the official speakers’ list, Bangladeshi expatriates living in Europe may find opportunities to engage in this dialogue through their respective local faith networks.
Read More>>: Rome to Host Major Interreligious Conference on Building Global Fraternity